NPR's new headquarters refuels funding debate

'They build a 'News Palace' and they still need taxpayer dollars?!?'

Published: 06/30/2013 at 12:34 AM

(Washington Post) NPR’s gleaming new headquarters building in the shadow of the Capitol in Washington has soaring ceilings, a “wellness” center, an employee gym and a gourmet cafe staffed by a resident chef.

This, as it turns out, could be a political problem.

NPR showed off the 400,000-square-foot complex, which has been open since April, to members of the media earlier this week. It immediately began drawing some grumbles from those who see the edifice as far too luxe for a nonprofit radio and digital-news organization that depends, in part, on taxpayer support. In effect, the building briefly became a new club with which to beat NPR over an old issue: whether public radio and television should be subsidized with federal and state funds.